FSOTD #30/Loving You Always (2008)

Here's a piece of trivia: Name a second band with a drummer named Ringo.  The answer is Los Lonely Boys.  The Texas trio are the band behind today's FSOTD "Loving You Always".  A pleasingly up tempo pop ballad, it has everything the Boys do well.  Nice hook, tejano-flavored acoustic guitar, a lovely melody and accessible lyrics fueled by their distinctive vocals.   Like Willie Nelson, I'm a big fan of these three brothers from San Angelo, Texas.  That's Henry, Jojo and Ringo Garza.

"Loving You Always" is from their third and most recent studio album Forgiven.  Chart-wise, it hasn't done as well as the previous two, and certainly Los Lonely Boys haven't come close to the chart-topping success of their debut single, 2004's "Heaven".  But, if you'll forgive a fan his enthusiasm, I would tell you all their records are great listens. True, they churn mostly the same waters with each release, but when you have such a signature sound, why change things up?  As a trio, what are you gonna do, add a horn section?  If they did anything different personnel-wise, they'd probably add a keyboardist.  But that's a big step for three brothers who've been playing together their entire lives.

The band did release a single from Forgiven called "Staying With Me." It's a serviceable enough tune, but it didn't chart.  Somebody should've called me; I would've steered them to "Loving You Always" in a heartbeat.  It's a catchier song IMO, but mostly, the sheer joy of the melody makes it a better pick.

Finally, some good news for fans of the band.  This comes straight from the Wiki article:  The trio will release a tribute EP titled "1969" on October 13th, 2009, paying homage to the 40th anniversary of one history's most fabled years; the album will feature covers of Santana's "Evil Ways", The Doors' "Roadhouse Blues", Blind Faith's "Well All Right", The Beatles' "She Came In Through The Bathroom Window", and Tony Joe White's "Polk Salad Annie". The EP was produced by Andy Johns and will mark the first release on their new label, Playing In Traffic, and their own imprint, Lonely Tone.
I love cover songs, and I love each of the tunes listed above.  I even have a version of "Polk Salad Annie" by Tom Jones.  Chomp.  Chomp-chomp.




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